Theses and dissertations : a guide to planning, research, and writing /
R. Murray Thomas, Dale L. Brubaker.
- Second edition.
- xi, 339 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 330-334) and index.
The Nature of Theses and Dissertations -- Functions of Theses and Dissertations -- Academic Disciplines -- The Book's Structure -- Preparing the Way -- Sources of Guidance -- Academic Advisors -- Your Supervising Committee -- Your Fellow Graduate Students -- Experts Outside Your Department -- You Yourself -- The Professional Literature -- Planning Checklist -- Searching the Literature -- Functions of Literature Reviews -- Efficient Ways of Searching the Literature -- Searching the World Wide Web -- Errors of Judgment -- Planning Checklist -- Choosing and Defining Research Topics -- Sources and Types of Research Problems -- Sources and Kinds of Problems -- How to Distinguish a Good Topic From a Bad One -- Planning Checklist -- Building and Adapting Theories -- The Need for a New Theory -- Building a Classificatory Theory -- Building an Explanatory Theory -- Adapting and Revising Theories -- Planning Checklist -- Stating the Problem and Its Rationale -- Stating Your Research Problem -- Defining Key Terms -- Providing a Rationale -- Planning Checklist -- Collecting Information -- Types of Research Methods and Sources of Information -- Specifying the Desired Data -- General Research Methods -- Matching Methods to Research Questions -- Planning Checklist -- Data-Collection Techniques and Instruments -- Content Analyses -- Interviews -- Questionnaires -- Planning Checklist -- Things That Go Wrong -- Shattered Expectations -- Uncooperative Participants -- Negative Results -- The Meaning of "Enough Subjects" -- Nothing Short of Perfect -- Organizing Information -- Classification Patterns -- Some Examples of Classification Schemes -- Key Features of Classification Schemes: Implications and Applications -- Planning Checklist -- Summarizing Information Verbally, Numerically, and Graphically -- Narrative Summaries -- Statistical Summaries -- Tabular and Graphic Summaries -- Planning Checklist -- Interpreting the Results -- Modes of Interpretation -- Meanings Denoted by Types of Guide Questions -- Planning Checklist -- Presenting the Finished Product -- Writing the Final Version -- Fulfilling Requirements and Preferences -- Creating a Readable Document -- Planning Checklist -- Mounting a Persuasive Defense -- The Question of Validity -- The Question of Significance -- Who's in Charge? -- The Intrusive Advisor -- Insisting on a Different Approach -- Professorial Debates -- Proper Proofreading -- Reaching a Wider Audience -- A Variety of Publishing Opportunities -- Further Guides to Publishing -- Planning Checklist -- Outline of a Dissertation Proposal. 1. Stage I. 2. 3. Stage II. 4. 5. 6. Stage III-A. 7. 8. 9. Stage III-B. 10. 11. Stage IV. 12. Stage V. 13. 14. 15. Appendix.
"A thoroughly revised and updated classic. This step-by-step guide takes masters and doctoral students through the five stages of writing a thesis or dissertation: preparing the way, choosing and defining research topics, collecting and organizing information, interpreting the results, presenting the finished product. The authors have successfully led hundreds of graduate students through the masters theses and disseration process. This comprehensive guidebook includes helpful checklists, multiple examples, and practical strategies. It covers both qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research." -- Provided by publisher.
1412951151 141295116X 9781412951159 9781412951166
2007008778
Dissertations, Academic--Handbooks, manuals, etc. Report writing--Handbooks, manuals, etc.